deskthority

thefarside wrote: 17 Oct 2023, 18:26 Now up to $760. Besides the color is there anything else that differentiates this from a normal Model M?

From normal Model Ms in general? Mechanically, not really. Obviously, the general rule of thumb is that the earlier the Model M the better quality though. In my experience though, the earliest of PC/XT (eg, P/N 1390120) and PC/AT (eg, P/N 1390131) Enhanced Keyboards (both formally introduced in April 1986 but production started earlier, in fact at least as early as December 1985 like this keyboard in question) can also have similar quality attributes.

From other industrial Model Ms? The black-square IBM badge.

Amongst the earliest of early Model Ms? It's unique in that it's PC compatible and has lock-light LEDs, but there are other interesting keyboards during this era. The IBM 7531 Industrial Computer (the earliest host for this keyboard I know of) was officially announced in May 1985, but was quickly followed by the IBM 3161 ASCII Display Station and its keyboard (the other famous early Model M, eg. P/N 1386303) in June 1985. Whilst that P/N 1388032 has a great overall case, P/N 1386303 has lovely ASCII style keycaps (though later IBM 316X and 3151 keyboards had similar sets). Around a year before the Industrial 101/102-key was in production, IBM was already making Model M-based keyboards for the IBM Wheelwriter 3, Wheelwriter 5 and Quietwriter 7 electronic typewriters. I have an example from June 1984 and I'd say these are more unique, using 'cushionless' rockers (they resemble a stubbier Model F-style flippers) and factory O-rings.

The keyboard is a great example of an early Model M with a rare case colour, great looking badge, and happens to be AT compatible so its easy to use on a modern PC (or at least can be used with cheap active converters). It certainly has additional value as a bundle of those desirable traits, but I wouldn't pay this sort of price for one.

Thanks for the info Shark! I've always liked the early Model Ms with the colorful back plates. Not sure if that greatly impacts the experience, but it looks cool. My oldest is from 1988 that I turned into an industrial when Unicomp still sold IBM NOS cases. For the money that's good enough for me

I found another interesting one. An alps-compatible ergo board from kickstarter:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/134771198518

Wow, it's incredible how are they getting high with prices. Mine. Same manufacturing year, bar code label, square badge etc. Exactly 5 years ago was purchased on feebay for 174€, including shipping and custom fees from us to EU.
Anyone want to come forward with a proposal?

dcopellino wrote: 19 Oct 2023, 10:19 Anyone want to come forward with a proposal?

Aargh. As much as I would love to have one, I can't afford more than $300 right now, and given what they go for nowadays, that would not be anywhere near fair price.

^ I used to feel exactly the same way about industrial SSKs. For the same figure, at the time…

I keep beating myself up for not buying a NOS industrial case from Unicomp while these were still available...

Aye, should have done that myself, too. Either to chop into my own indy SSK or, perhaps more likely, trade years later for a significant increase in value. Instead I had to go and get their crappy caps. Ah well.

derp

That industrial Model M is at $1,025 right now... And it's not NIB or anything, the seller says that same rivets are broken so the buyer may have to do a bolt mod. The prices are getting crazy.

engr wrote: 22 Oct 2023, 01:10 That industrial Model M is at $1,025 right now... And it's not NIB or anything, the seller says that same rivets are broken so the buyer may have to do a bolt mod. The prices are getting crazy.

I was thinking the same thing. Up to $1175 now.

55? Cheapskate recognise cheapskate.

Here you go, for only a few thousand dollars! https://www.ebay.com/itm/256265861852?h ... R_L5jojrYg

How the hell did he come up with that price?

Muirium wrote: 22 Oct 2023, 19:23 55? Cheapskate recognise cheapskate.

Well you know… he said it needs a bolt mod

Sold for $1325.00.

For anyone looking for a different Mac keyboard I saw this Macally MK-96 with probably alps clones:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/285520070389

Woah, definitely beyond my imagination!

an industrial model m for not $1,000 if anyone's interested (albeit not as old, though)

https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product ... -no-label/

Interesting IBM 5110 with beamspring switches and maybe basic front legends? https://www.ebay.com/itm/204521656695

Another 5110: https://www.ebay.com/itm/355151126569

IBM Model M5-1:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145402629258

thefarside wrote: 01 Nov 2023, 02:21 Another 5110:
IMG_9331.jpeg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/355151126569

And another:
https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/computers- ... mputer-met

Also:
https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/computers- ... ortant-lot

It must be 5100 season!
This one has an awesome tape drive and APL caps: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314938155379

Any idea what switches it may have?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364565377941

engr wrote: 06 Nov 2023, 20:45 Any idea what switches it may have?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364565377941

i bought one from the same seller, it has futaba ma switches

this one is a lot more expensive, though

A NIB Omnikey Plus and an SSK that doesn't cost an arm an a leg but needs some work (probably a bolt mod).

MicroSwitch SD?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364575575810

The numpad 3 cap is missing, and the exposed slider looks much too small for the mighty Micro Switch SD to me. Looks more like RAFI.

Pretty cool pair, though.

Keycaps on the upper one look more like Keytronic Vintage F&F to me.

You can use that to program your microwave like George Lucas demonstrates here.